Turning Back Time

Dave is into Dragons and I saw this clock while shopping for Christmas, and thought it'd make a good addition to his office. When we looked closer at it, the big hand wouldn't go past 7 and the face was cracked. The day after Christmas, we took it back to where I bought it and exchanged it for one that worked. When we got back, Heather asked where we'd gone and Chas told her that we went to turn back time.
I laughed when Dave told me this, and just had to post that here on my blog. It wasn't much, but it was a fairly decent Christmas. It was good to share it with both families, and I hope that our plan for rotating which Family we spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with works out.

Bah Humbug/Hum Bahbug

As far as I could remember, Christmas was my all time favorite holliday. I'd always be excited for Santa, the lights, decorations and Christmas Specials on TV. I loved going Christmas shopping with my parents until I was old enough to go on my own, and snooping around with my siblings for our gifts when Mom and Dad left the house for any period of time.
A few days ago, Mom asked me out of the blue what my favorite Christmas memory was. Though this question seemed simple, it wasn't. I had quite a few memories that I loved, Grandma coming over Christmas morning to watch us open gifts, siblings keeping me up all night waiting for the OK from Mom and Dad to see what Santa brought, and looking at lights on Christmas Eve and exchanging gifts with Grandma and Grandpa on the way home.
Out of these memories, and others, the one that sticks out the most is the late nights with my siblings. I remember being so excited for Santa to come when I went to bed, and just as I doze off, I'd hear a light tap on my door, usually around 1am. It'd be one of my brothers, as I was sharing a room with Heather, and they'd come sit on the bed and talk with me until it was time to open presents. We'd try to figure out what we got, tell each other what we bought people, and just spend some good quality time together.
As the years progressed and we each went our own ways, the joys of Christmas for me turned in to Giving, rather than receiving. I loved to find out what people wanted, go out and find the perfect gift for everyone, and pray they liked it. The last 5yrs or so, that joy has faded for me, and this year, I just can't seem to get into the "spirit" of Christmas. I feel I have totally become a scrooge. I don't know if this is because I'm overwhelmed with making gifts for people this year, or because everyone I know has kids to share their Christmas with, or just because I can't seem to do what I want to for everyone this year. I know that it does hurt knowing that my siblings and other friends who DO have kids get to experience something that I've been jealous of since I have been unable to have kids, the look of extreme joy on their faces Christmas Morning when they open their gifts and see what Santa brought them.
I really don't know for sure why I feel this way this year, I know part of it is the parental, no kid thing, but it's not the main reason. All I know is that it's really bothering me, and I hope I can get out of it. If you click on the title of this post, you'll be taken to the song that best describes my feeling for this Christmas. Feel free to take a look and as usual, your opinions and thoughts are welcomed.

Biting Off MORE Than I Can Chew

Ok, so lately I've been intensely working on hats and scarves for my nieces and nephews Christmas gifts. Last week, since I shaved Merlyn naked, I decided to find a simple pattern for a dog sweater, and make him one to keep him warm. I found one online, printed it off and then went to work. It took me 2 days tops to finish it with doing a little altering. I put it on him and he totally enjoys wearing it, though I'm trying to figure out a way to make the back sit better on him.
Looking at the finished product, and back on all the other projects I've done, or am doing, I thought long and hard about using all the yarn I have to make afghans, dog sweaters, cat/dog toys, hats, scarves, and whatever else I can make or figure out how to make, and sell them. Chrystal has been telling me that I should sell them on Etsy, and it's been a thought, but I don't think I really want to pay for selling my stuff online. I have considered maybe posting items on my Facebook for people to see and possibly buy, but the only thing I see holding me back is the prices for things.
I do not know what people are willing to pay for my products, nor do I know what would be a reasonable price. Should I do special orders? Make up some in advance? I just don't know. I think it needs a lot more thought before I act upon it, I know for sure that Dave would be extactic if I used up all my yarn and retired my hooks for a while. My wrists and fingers would thank me for sure too. Who knows. This is what Merlyn's sweater looks like.